Bruins-Canadiens: Game 1 leftovers

The Bruins got off on the wrong foot in their Round 2 series against the Canadiens, dropping a 4-3 decision in double overtime. Here’s a look at some of the sub-stories.

Odds and ends from Game 1 of the Bruins-Canadiens series:

- Coach Claude Julien did a bit of line-shifting after the Bruins fell behind 2-0 in the second period.

Rookie Justin Florek, the third-line left wing (in place of injured Chris Kelly) throughout Round 1 against the Red Wings, was taken off that line, possibly in an effort to generate more offensive potential and speed.

Daniel Paille, playing for the first time since sustaining a concussion on April 12, took many of Florek’s shifts with center Carl Soderberg and right wing Loui Eriksson. With the B’s trailing 3-2 late in the third period, Julien sent Brad Marchand out for an offensive-zone faceoff with Soderberg and Eriksson – and Marchand quickly drew an assist on Johnny Boychuk’s OT-forcing goal.

Florek, who took only 2 shifts in the third period, resurfaced in the first overtime with four shifts in Paille’s place on the Merlot Line (center Gregory Campbell; right wing Shawn Thornton). The rookie didn’t have a bad game: He drew a third-period interference penalty on Habs defenseman P.K. Subban, and was still on the third line when Josh Gorges took a penalty for holding Soderberg.

- Whether because he was ineffective or injured, long-time Bruins-killer Thomas Vanek was no factor for the Habs in Game 1, attempting only 2 shots (one missed the net; the other was blocked) in 18 minutes, 58 seconds of ice time. Vanek was notably absent in the second period, when he took only four shifts, and while he was on the ice more frequently after that, he was often off the ice well ahead of linemates David Desharnais and Brandon Prust. Dale Weise and veteran Daniel Briere took many of the shifts Vanek missed.

- Granted, the fact that the Bruins had a 51-33 advantage in shots had something to do with it, but the Habs were credited with 30 blocks, while the B’s got in front of only 14 shots. Montreal was also credited with 13 takeaways to Boston’s 3 – partly explained by the fact that the Bruins had the puck more often, but still a significant gap.

- The Canadiens’ four centers – Tomas Plekanec (13 for 30), Briere (2 for 8), Desharnais (7 for 19) and Lars Eller (12 for 26) were a combined 34 for 83, 40.1 percent on faceoffs. The Bruins’ won 58 percent of the draws on the night, with Patrice Bergeron (19 for 29, 66 percent) and Soderberg (11 for 18; 61) leading the way.

- Kevan Miller, one of only two Bruins without a shot on goal (Paille was the other), and Johnny Boychuk both registered a game-high 7 hits. Alexei Emelin led the Habs with 6 hits, and led everyone with 5 blocked shots.